Barred flagtail :

English Name : Barred flagtail
Local Name : Kattafulhi
Size : Max. 20 cm
Family : KUHLIIDAE
Order : Perciformes
Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 10 spines and 9-11 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 9-11 rays. Pectoral fin rays 14. Gill rakers on lower limb 23-26. Lateral line scales 48 to 56. Body depth 2.7-3.1 in standard length. Oval, somewhat compressed body. Cheeks and operculum scaly. Lower edge of preopercle finely serrated. Operculum with two spines. Caudal fin forked.
Colour: Overall silvery. Caudal fin with 5 black bands.
Habitat and Biology: Found schooling near reefs affected by surge. Juveniles sometimes in estuaries.
Feeds on planktonic crustaceans and small fish. Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
Remarks: Kuhila mugil is not at all shy of humans. It is a nocturnal predator, but during daytime it schools in shallow lagoons, often around jetties.

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